Marietta Symphony Orchestra

Our Board

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Marietta Symphony Orchestra. Individuals who sit on the board are responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities. Board members meet periodically to discuss and vote on the affairs of the organization. We are grateful for the service to our community provided by these individuals

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Paul F. Scanling

Paul Scanling is the Founding Director, Board President, Executive Director, and Music Director for the Marietta Symphony Orchestra. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, Paul is the son of two teachers, a lifelong musician, and a graduate of Florida State University and Georgia State University. Paul is the Music Director for the Atlanta Concert Band, is an adjunct instructor at Oglethorpe University, and works with Chamber Cartel, a contemporary classical music ensemble in Atlanta. He lives in Marietta with his wife of almost twenty years and their two children.

Lisa Banov

Lisa Banov was born and raised in Atlanta and, despite a deep love for music, she focused her academic talents and career path in the Math and Sciences. She attended Duke University as a psychology major and ultimately received her MBA at Harvard Business School. Her diverse work experience included a job in Management of Information Systems for Trammel Crow Residential, change management consulting for CSC Index Group, and running her own management consulting business. After raising her two wonderful sons, she was gifted a saxophone for Mother’s Day from her family who always remembered her casually commenting that if she ever played an instrument, that would be the one. She began learning the saxophone to take full advantage of her empty nest. She now manages her husband’s psychiatric practice Northwest Behavioral Medicine and Research Center in Marietta. While continuing her saxophone instruction under the patient, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic Paul Scanling, she agreed to join him in establishing a new kind of symphony in Marietta that would focus on bringing together both seasoned symphony lovers and a new generation of listeners. The goal would be to educate those with less of a musical background while still entertaining the more experienced listener. She also wanted to give back to the city that has been so welcoming to her and her husband’s medical practice. Lisa believes that bringing more people into the symphonic musical fold will make our community stronger, happier and more connected at a time when we can all benefit from being a little closer to one another.

Jerry A. Landers, Jr.

Jerry A. Landers, Jr. Attorney at Law handles probate, estate litigation, guardianships, conservatorships and general civil litigation. His practice is split between estate matters such as wills, probate, guardianship, and commercial and non-commercial litigation matters. He is a registered mediator. He is one of the County Administrators and County Conservators in Cobb County. His law firm is located in Marietta, Georgia and his practice extends throughout Cobb County and Metro Atlanta.

Dr. W. Irwin Ray

Dr. W. Irwin Ray, a native Atlantan who lives in Marietta, GA, is Professor of Music Emeritus at Oglethorpe University, having recently retired after thirty years as the University’s Director of Music. He holds both the Bachelor and Master degrees in Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in both choral and orchestral conducting. He is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association, as well as a member of numerous other professional organizations, and has been honored by Alpha Epsilon Delta, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Societies. In 2007 he was honored with the “School Bell Award” from Oglethorpe University’s National Alumni Association for outstanding contributions as a teacher/conductor; in 2015 he won the university’s prestigious Vulcan Teaching Award for Outstanding Campus Leadership and Excellence in the Classroom. Upon his retirement, Dr. Ray was awarded the national Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for “a life which has continued to express the high qualities which ennoble and beautify living, and binds humans in mutual love and helpfulness.”

Jeffrey Jackson

Jeffrey Jackson is a lifelong Cobb and Marietta native and is proud to lend his support to expanding the musical arts in our community. Jeff is a trumpet player by heart and has been performing in and around the suburban Atlanta area since 1980 and has been fortunate enough to perform all across the US . If you have been part of the local theatre scene, you might remember Jeff’s portrayal as “Biff Baker” in The 1940’s Radio Hour at Marietta’s own Theatre in the Square during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s which coincidentally is where the Marietta Symphony will soon be performing. Jeff also performed for many years with the KSU jazz ensemble, was a performing member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, and has also been in several productions at Roswell ‘s Georgia Ensemble Theater. He has also been seen performing for countless weddings, church orchestras, and many other small ensembles and solo work. Jeff lives and works in Cobb County and wouldn’t have it any other way. In 2010, he realized a lifelong dream by obtaining his pilot’s license at nearby McCollum Field. Jeff has been happily married for almost 18 years and has 2 children and 2 dogs who keep him on his toes.

Carolyn Diffenderfer

Carolyn Diffenderfer, a native Atlantan, loves being able to walk to the Square and enjoy all that this extended community offers. She graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA with her degree in Business Administration. Her career path from materials management to real estate to her current role in accounting at A-1 Broadcast builds on her love of numbers and people. With a servant spirit she is very involved at Marietta FUMC, sings in the choir, and enjoys helping with events at the Marietta/ Cobb Museum of Art. She is married with two adult children, a puppy, and a wonderful toddler grandson (who loves playing her piano.) Carolyn is very excited to be a part of the Marietta Symphony Orchestra.